It was more a marathon than a masterpiece, as the Richmond Sockeyes upended the Grandview Steelers 6-5 in triple overtime to even their best-of-seven Pacific Junior B Hockey League series at 2-2.
Austin Cook’s goal with 54 seconds left in the third extra frame gave Richmond a home-ice win, sending the series back to Grandview’s Burnaby Winter Club rink for Wednesday's Game Five (7:15 p.m. faceoff).
“It was back and forth, and both teams really had moments of momentum,” remarked Grandview coach Stefan Matic. “I thought we played well and both goalies were very sharp... (Richmond) got a chance late in that overtime and put it in.”
The Steelers grabbed a 4-3 lead midway through the second, when Keito Lee converted on the powerplay. But the Sockeyes’ Arjun Badh tied it six minutes later, setting off a 74-minute stalemate that Cook ended.
Neither team could break the logjam in the first 10-minute extra session, nor the following 20-minute overtime period. That the game almost made it to a fifth intermission was a display of resilience and stamina on both clubs' part.
"Anytime you play close to six periods of hockey in one shot there's going to be fatigue," the coach said. "The players really worked very hard the whole game on both teams."
That the club cashed in two powerplay opportunities, while blanking Richmond's extra-man game, was another area that Matic was pleased with.
"Special teams are very important, and we kind of had a parade to the penalty box in the second (period)," he noted. "When you can shut them down like that it can give your team the momentum."
Among the shorthanded situations were a couple of two-man opportunities, including one that crossed into the third period, where the Steelers held the Sockeyes in check.
Adam Rota scored twice for the Steelers, giving him four in four games, with Malcolm Huemmert adding a single.
Grandview’s Matteo Paler-Chow was busy over 109 minutes, making 40 saves. At the other end, Merek Pipes faced 42 shots, including 16 in extra time.
It continued the pattern of home-ice advantage so far in the opening round series, with Game 3 going to Grandview 3-2 on Sunday.
The Steelers never trailed in that contest, getting markers from Anthony Benevoli, Huemmert and Rota to lead 3-1 after two periods.
The series returns to Burnaby tonight (Wednesday), with Game Five faceoff at 7:15 p.m.
Game Six is slated for Thursday in Richmond, and a seventh game, if necessary, goes Sunday, 4 p.m. in Burnaby.
